An incredible photograph of the Speedway, Harlem River under the Washington Bridge. The “Speedway” was built in 1900 at a cost of over three million dollars.
The photograph view of the Speedway is looking south from upper northern Manhattan in the early 1900s (View full size).
The film is of a parade of fine horses and fashionable carriages taken along what is now the Harlem River Drive, in the Highbridge section of northern Manhattan. The view is from the Manhattan side of the river looking north. On the right is the Harlem River and on the opposite bank, the Bronx. Prominent in the background is the High Bridge at 175th Street, an important landmark completed in 1842 as part of the Croton aqueduct system. Beyond the High Bridge is the Washington Bridge at 181st Street. Today it’s the location of the Harlem River Drive.
This is a 8×10 inch dry plate glass negative transformed into video by Detroit Publishing Company.
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I grew up around this neighborhood on 158st. I think this shot of the speedway is facing north with the bronx on the right side. Of course I could be wrong but….Best place in the world to grow up…very alive..
Jay,
We’ll double check that just in case.
Thanks,
HW